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Chapter 23

"Bella, love I, I want to explain." Edward held his hand out imploringly. "You just made me so angry today. You weren't there when I came to pick you up this morning. When I finally find you I see you all cozy with another boy, then I find out that boy is dangerous. At lunch you refused to listen to me. It all came to a head when you humiliated me in the parking lot. In front of everyone, That boy- that dog, whispered in your ear, like he was really familiar with you. I just- I just lost it. Having everyone see that."

He reached for her again. She pushed herself tighter against the wall.

"It's over now love, I just want to get back to normal."

Bella shook her head. "You swung at me." She choked on the words.

"No! No," He denied, "I swung at the floor. I was in a rage, but I did not hit you. Please, don't you want to get back to us."

Bella wrapped her arms around her chest. "I can't, I need time." She gasped.

"No," he fell to his knees wrapping his arms around her waist, he pleaded. "Don't go. You are my world. My forever, I love you so much. You are my life, I won't survive without you. You can't cast me aside like we are nothing. I promise I will make everything right again, I will make everything perfect. As long as you don't leave me, If you love me you won't do this to me."

Bella was sobbing. She would have fallen if Edward didn't have such a tight grip on her. Letting herself believe he was being honest she gave in. She didn't want to hurt him, she had to make this better.

"Okay," She forced the rest out. "I won't leave you. You're my forever too, but If you want this to work, you have to listen to me as well."

"I will." He sniffled.

The door banged open. "What are you doing here? Get out of my room." Alice demanded.

Edward reluctantly left. Bella went into Alice's ensuite to clean up. Somehow Alice convinced her to go down stairs where they watched Emmitt and Jasper play video games. They even got her to play a few rounds. It wasn't too long before Esme came home.

"Mom, I want to talk to you about Edward and Bella." Alice announced.

A knot formed in Bella's stomach. Edward came down at that moment.

"What happened?" His mother yelled.

Looking over at Edward Bella could see bruises forming on his face.

"Just ruff housing." He dismissed her worries.

"Boys. Why couldn't I have all girls? What's this about you and Bella?"

Edward smirked at his sister before saying. "It's her birthday next week. The day before Jaspers. Alice and I wanted to throw them a party over the weekend."

"Oh, this weekend or next?"

"Next."

"Oh no, your father and I have that trip. Honey I'm so sorry. I'm going to miss it." She hugged Bella tightly.

"No party then?" Edward asked.

"Nonsense. Of course you could have a party. Celebrate Bella and Jasper, just don't destroy my house."

Edward frowned. Alice cheered and clapped her hands.

When their mother walked away Alice told Edward "You're not invited."

Esme stuck her head back in the room. "Bella, are you staying for dinner?"

Dinner? Crap, Charlie. "No, I need to go home." She looked over at Alice. "Now."

"I will be taking you home." Even though Bella forgave Edward, she didn't know if she was ready to be alone with him, especially in his car.

"Great, I could have a nice long talk with mom while you're gone." Emmett said, rubbing his hands together.

Edward stepped toward his brother.

"I could use some fresh air. I will take her home." Jasper was out the door before anyone could protest.

Alice took Bella's hand and followed him out. Bella pointed out she did not have her jaket or her bookbag. Alice got her in the car then retrieved them both.

"If you need a ride tomorrow, I will pick you up." Jasper murmured.

Bella gratefully accepted.

They pulled up to her house the same time Charlie did. He stepped out of the cruiser not looking too happy. He stood there waiting for her to get out of the car. They walked into the house together.

"Go set the table." He told her, then yelled. "Jake!"

A sound came from the basement. Jacob came through the door a few seconds later. What was he doing down there? Bella was so focussed on Charlie she had missed his truck in the driveway.

She found takeout bags on the kitchen table and set it for three people. Charlie waited for the food to be served before talking.

Looking at his daughter he said. "I thought we talked about you asking before you go out."

"I thought it would be okay since I spent most of the summer over there."

After that day Edward was almost caught with Bella alone in the house, they went to his house or somewhere else.

"And I thought I told you Jacob would be driving you home."

Before Bella could think of something to say Jacob spoke. "I'm not her fucking chauffeur! I had better things to do, she had to find another ride. So what if she didn't come straight home? It's probably better she didn't."

Charlie's eyes went wide, then narrowed. "What better things?"

Jacob smirked saying "You see Charlie, there was this pretty little blonde. I had her begging me to-"

"Enough!" Charlie interrupted. "Bella take your food to your room."

Jacob snorted derisively. "Don't bother." He stood up from the table and headed to the basement.

Charlie got up to follow him, turning back to Bella he said. "You will come straight home tomorrow. We have plans."

After Charlie disappeared through the basement door Bella snuck over to listen.

"You haven't verbally spoken to me in almost a year and the first thing you say is meant to start an argument."

Silence.

"Jake, this isn't you."

"How the fuck would you know?"

"Because I know you. I know the sweet natured boy I helped raise is still in there."

Jacob let out a humorless laugh. "No Charlie, He's dead. Now you're stuck with me."

Charlie sighed. "I refuse to believe that."

"Then you are bound to be disappointed."

"A pretty little blonde huh." Charlie changed subjects flawlessly. "What's her name?"

"Laurel, Laura, Something like that. What I can tell you is she was real nice to me."

"You're better than this Jake. Don't go playing the bad guy."

Jacob's voice turned gravelly. "She knows exactly who I am. She was there that night. You wanna know the sickest part. She thanked me."

After a moment of silence Charlie cleared his throat. "Don't curse again."

Jacob scoffed. "What are you going to do, ground me or send me back to daddy." He said sarcastically.

"Trust me kid. I can come up with an efficient punishment."

Thank you for reading.